At the start of the film Leanne shared the devastating moment she found out about her daughter Emmy’s cancer diagnosis:
I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t comprehend what I was being told, and I just broke down.
Sarah said:
Your life changes forever in that moment and, even now, you’re not the person you were the second before.
In November 2020 six days after her 11th birthday, Leanne’s daughter, Emmy, passed away following a gruelling year of treatment for an aggressive medulloblastoma tumour in her brain. The tumour was removed and she went through intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Sadly, after finishing treatment, Emmy was rushed to hospital and a few days later the family were given the news that her cancer had returned. Emmy passed away shortly after the diagnosis.
In 2022, Neive was five years old and had just started Year 1 when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue tumour near her nasal cavity. Following an MRI scan, the tumour was deemed inoperable due to its complex location. She went through chemotherapy and proton beam therapy, and received the all-clear. However, a few months later the cancer returned aggressively. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family late October 2023.
Last month marked the one-year anniversary of Neive passing away. When Sarah said that she felt weighed down by the anniversary, Leanne shared how she felt about ‘the firsts’:
I found the first year really tough. I think it’s ‘the firsts’ – the first birthday, the first Christmas – it really is hard.
Sarah agreed:
I don’t think hard is the right word, there are just no words.
When you lose the most precious thing in the world to you, you feel like you are the only one going through it, but when you meet others who also feel that pain, you feel less alone and you’re able to help each other in ways that other people can’t.
The mothers initially felt nervous meeting each other, but they soon found what they had in common gave them the strength to bring up emotional topics, and it gave them an opportunity to talk about their little girls.
Sarah explained:
I think people are sometimes scared to mention Neive and Emmy through fear of upsetting us, but we love people to ask us about them. I love nothing more than to talk about Neive and say her name. It warms my heart.
Sarah and Leanne are dedicated to raising awareness of childhood cancer in memory of their daughters and encouraged parents going through the heartbreaking journey of losing a child to seek support.
Leanne said:
It’s very important to know you’re not alone and you’re supported, whether it’s through meeting other parents on the journey, your own family and friends, or the various charities and professionals.” Sarah agreed, “Support is very important. Don’t feel alone in what you are going through because there are people out there who can help.
Amar Naher, CEO of Children with Cancer UK, said:
Grief after the death of a child can feel overwhelming and isolating, but we hope this film shows that comfort and support can be found during an incredibly difficult time.
We are grateful to Leanne and Sarah for coming together and would like to thank them for bravely sharing their story to help raise awareness and helping others to talk about such an important topic.
Helping us build awareness ensures that we can continue to improve outcomes for any child or young person with cancer. We believe that every child and young person deserves to have their whole life ahead of them, but sadly, cancer is still the biggest cause of death in children. We support children with cancer and their families through every step of the journey.
Children with Cancer UK is the leading national children’s charities working towards a world where every child and young person survives a cancer diagnosis.
Watch Leanne’s and Sarah’s Real Story film
Notes to Editors:
About Children with Cancer UK:
Children with Cancer UK is the leading children and young people’s cancer charity in the UK. Our vision is for every child and young person to survive cancer. We are working to improve survival rates and the long-term quality of life for those that do, we are also striving to find ways to prevent cancer in the future. We are dedicated to raising and investing funds into vital research that helps us understand childhood cancers and improves treatments. We support families as they navigate treatment and life beyond cancer. What began as a small memorial charity in 1988, has evolved into the leading charity for children and young people affected by cancer, raising more than £300 million and investing in over 300 pioneering research projects.
Press Enquiries:
For all press enquiries, please email media@childrenwithcancer.org.uk or call 0800 222 9000 and ask for the media team.
